The Siren of Good Intentions by author J.E. Mooney is a sweeping and immersive descent into the wild heart of West Africa exploring the dramatic conflicts of capitalism, imperialism, loyalty, and love. A cast of inter-related and well-penned characters find their [...]
Most people know the fundamental bones of America’s past, but with thousands of hidden corners scattered across that massive nation, there are countless secret histories tucked away in unexpected places. In The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover, the strict edge of [...]
Cooperative Lives, a captivating work of literary fiction by Patrick Finegan, underscores the old adage that no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors – especially behind those of your neighbors. Seventh Avenue and Central Park South is the [...]
This Man Booker 2017 shortlisted book is the debut from British author Fiona Mozley. Centered around narration of past events from 14-year-old Danny, the story takes place in a grim North England copse where Danny and his older sister, the tough [...]
In McDowell, tragedy and consequence lead an arrogant and narcissistic Dr. Hiram McDowell to examine his life and search for life’s meaning beyond winning and possessions. Hiram is first glimpsed leaving his Mt. Everest climbing partner to die. If that’s not [...]
Portraits is quite an achievement, as dauntingly detailed in its character descriptions as Shaw (who also wanted his actors to have particular heights, clothes, and eye colors, and his sets to have specific furniture), and as discursive in its stage directions [...]
A grimy New York book is always a winner, and here Moshfegh takes the lethargy and defeatism of twentieth century East Coast living and rolls it up into her protagonist, a nameless, monied female narrator on the cusp of George W's [...]
Tao Lin is either a complete genius or a complete sham. Having spent a few hours looking at videos on YouTube of him presenting his childlike scribbles to a roomful of New York's finest literati -- who chuckle along not sure [...]
A surprisingly English book. Lanny is the unusual boy who lives with his parents in the village. But Dead Papa Toothwart, a shapeshifting ancient woodland spirit watches the boy, and the village. This book almost shouldn't be reviewed, and I myself [...]
Oyinkan Braithwaite's debut novel is all fizz and pulp in the chick reads section, and yet it also bubbles with a bloody humour that lifts it out into its own hybrid of Nigerian comedy and crime. The perils of sisterhood are [...]